The ground did not stop shaking.At first it was subtle—small tremors rippling beneath the clearing like distant thunder beneath the earth.But within seconds the vibrations grew stronger.Cracks spidered across the dirt.Loose stones rolled down the ridge.Several wolves stumbled backward as the forest around them shuddered violently.The storm above the mountains darkened.Lightning tore across the sky again.Violet felt the shard in her chest burn like a living ember.The Veiled Maw was not merely stirring anymore.It was rising.King Thorne stepped forward slowly, golden eyes fixed on the trembling ground.“That is not normal.”Roman blinked.“Understatement of the century.”Asher crouched near one of the spreading cracks, studying the shifting energy patterns in the soil.“The seal beneath the mountain is destabilizing.”Griffin muttered,“Because of the convergence?”“No,” Asher said quietly.“Because of what the convergence woke.”Varak stood nearby watching the forest edge wit
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